DIAO V. SOCAL GAS COMPANY

Case Synopsis:

Attorneys Rahul Ravipudi and Robert Glassman obtained a $19.8 million jury verdict for a young man, Pengxuan Diao, who was seriously burned and suffered a brain injury when his rental home exploded as a result of Southern California Gas Company negligence. 

While servicing the gas system at the home where Mr. Diao lived, an employee of SoCalGas recklessly opened a gas valve that activated a gas line running to where Mr. Diao was sleeping. 

Approximately two hours after the leak began, Mr. Diao woke up and attempted to light a cigarette at which point the room exploded into flames. Mr. Diao caught on fire and sustained catastrophic injuries, including second and third-degree burns to over 20 percent of his body.  Following the explosion, Mr. Diao was also diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury which has left him with permanent cognitive deficits.  Although SoCalGas admitted fault for the incident, it argued that the property owner was also negligent and should be held at least partially responsible for Mr. Diao’s damages.  SoCalGas also challenged the nature and extent of Mr. Diao’s injuries and damages. SoCalGas made no settlement offer to Mr. Diao prior to the jury’s verdict.